LONG BEACH - Holding signs that proclaimed, "I Am Long Beach," several dozen city employees protested a proposed ballot measure Tuesday that could eventually knock back pay for non-public safety workers by two years.

The measure, a request made by Councilman James Johnson to draft an initiative for a spring special election to cap pay in 2014 and 2015, passed by a 6-2 vote of the City Council and seeks to becalm continuing budget reductions in Long Beach.

The proposal, which would require a future vote to place it on the ballot, has been expected since a pension reform deal was rejected last month by the city's largest union, the International Association of Machinists.

Both union members and some council members leveled blistering criticism of the measure before the vote.

IAM Local 1930 President Dan Gonzalez said the pension deal was nixed because the city offered sparse details on the effects if union members assented to changes - except that layoffs would continue.

"It seems to us that sentiment has been, if you don't give us what we want, we're going to lay you off," said Gonzalez. "If you do give us what we want, we will lay you off, but we are going to feel bad about it."

Council members Steven Neal, Al Austin and Gerrie Schipske faulted the deal as a circumvention of collective bargaining rights. Neal and Austin voted no on the proposed ballot measure; Schipske voted yes.

The City Council approved a budget this month that downsizes spending by $12.9 million for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

Johnson claimed deficits will continue unless the city brings expenses in line with the flagging revenues.

"The answer is simple," Johnson said. "Until you control the growth of total compensation, such as skyrocketing pension costs, we will continue to cut services every year with no end in sight."

Johnson's memorandum said that rolling back salaries and benefits for the employees would save $29 million per year overall, and $9.4 million annually in the general fund, enabling the city to restore services.

The reform offer made by the city to the 3,600-member IAM would have saved an estimated $3.9 million in the general fund in 2013, and $12.2 million across all funds, by increasing the employee pension cost share and raising the retirement age for future employees while lowering benefits.

Union members would have received a raise to pay for the higher contribution.

IAM members have received a 12 percent raise since the start of the current union contract on Oct. 1, 2007. The contract calls for an additional 6 percent raise before it expires Sept. 30, 2013.

Public safety employees were not included in Tuesday's proposal because police and fire unions agreed to pension reforms last year that officials estimated would save Long Beach $100 million by 2022.

The measure will also seek to reform IAM compensation through bargaining - before a ballot initiative goes to voters.

Still, some in the audience, like IAM business representative Janet Wright-Schabow, charged that the move is an unfair labor practice.

"My members need to stop being the pinata that you boot around for political gain," Wright-Schabow said.

Long Beach says the annual cost of employee pensions has risen $28.7 million since 2007, from $69.4 million to $98.1 million.